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JCC Gym Is Place To Be For High School Playoffs

This March 2015 photo was taken during the Section VI basketball tournament at the Physical Education Complex at Jamestown Community College. Similar crowds are expected, beginning tonight, as JCC will be the host for 18 games through Saturday. P-J file photo

By Matt Spielman

mspielman@post-journal.com

Jamestown Community College’s Physical Education Complex will play host to three Section VI basketball playoff games per night every day this week for a total of 18 games today through Saturday.

Chautauqua Lake and Allegany-Limestone will kick off the action in Class C1 boys semifinal action tonight at 5:15 p.m. The top-seeded Thunderbirds (18-3) are led by junior Devin Pope’s 28.3 points per game while senior teammates Aaron Swan and Tyler Meredith average 14.8 and 9.4 ppg, respectively. The fifth-seeded Gators (9-12), who upset No. 4 Salamanca in the quarterfinals, are led by senior Zach Hemphill and junior Sean McAfee.

The 6:45 p.m. game tonight will feature No. 6 Portville against No. 2 Cleveland Hill in the other Class C1 semifinal. The Panthers (7-14) upset No. 3 Tapestry in the quarterfinals while the Golden Eagles (13-8) beat No. 7 WNY Maritime.

At 8:15 p.m. tonight, Clymer will look to beat arch-rival Sherman for the third time this year in the first Class D semifinal. The top-seeded Pirates (15-5) are led by seniors Justin Svetz and Josh VanEarden as well as junior Dustin Neckers. The fourth-seeded Wildcats (17-4) are led by senior Chris Robson’s 24.4 points per game.

Boys action will continue Tuesday as Frewsburg will take on Randolph in the first Class C2 semifinal at 5:15 p.m. The fourth-seeded Bears (17-4) are led by senior Cordell O’Brien’s 25.5 points per game while the top-seeded Cardinals (17-4) are led by seniors Jake Beaver and Jarrett Lecceadone as well as freshman Tyler Hind.

The 6:45 p.m. game Tuesday will feature Barker and East in the second Class C2 semifinal. The sixth-seeded Raiders (9-12) beat No. 3 Holland in the quarterfinals while the second-seeded Panthers (14-7) advanced by topping No. 7 Global Concepts.

The final game Tuesday will feature Franklinville and Ellicottville playing for the third time this season in the second Class D semifinal at 8:15 p.m. The third-seeded Panthers (17-4) are led by junior Sam Erickson’s 21.2 points per game while junior Isaac Kopp is averaging 13.4 ppg and junior Darren Clark is chipping in 11.4 ppg. The second-seeded Eagles (16-3) are led by junior Elliot Bowen’s 21.4 ppg while junior Griffin Chudy is averaging 13.2 ppg and junior Austin Grinols is adding 12.8 ppg. The teams split their regular-season meetings.

On Wednesday, the girls will take over the spotlight with the 5 p.m. opener between Frewsburg and Holland in Class C2 semifinal action. The third-seeded Bears (18-3) are led by sophomore Gabby Iuculano’s 17.4 points per game, senior Kaitlyn Blanchard’s 15.3 ppg and senior Olivia Lynn’s 13.5 ppg. The second-seeded Dutchwomen (14-7) are led by junior Cassidy Slocum’s 17.5 ppg.

The 6:30 p.m. game Wednesday will feature Westfield and Randolph in the other Class C2 semifinal. The eighth-seeded Wolverines (8-13) are led by junior Sophia DeMarco’s 12.7 points per game and senior Maddison Knapp’s 11.7 ppg. The fourth-seeded Cardinals (11-9) are led by senior MacKenzie Marsh’s 12.8 ppg, senior Haley Hettenbaugh’s 12.7 ppg and eighth-grader Sydney Hvizdzak’s 10.2 ppg.

The final game Wednesday will feature Clymer and Franklinville in Class D semifinal play at 8 p.m. The fifth-seeded Pirates (13-8) are led by senior Lauren Dunnewold’s 11.6 points per game. The top-seeded Panthers (19-1) are led by freshmen Dani Haskell and Abby McCoy as well as junior Ally Haskell.

On Thursday, Chautauqua Lake and Cleveland Hill will kick things off in Class C1 semifinal action at 5 p.m. The second-seeded Thunderbirds (12-9) are led by senior Taylor Phelps’ 10.2 points per game while the third-seeded Golden Eagles (15-6) advanced by beating No. 6 Middle Early College in the quarterfinals.

In the 6:30 p.m. game Thursday, Tapestry and Allegany-Limestone will meet in the other Class C1 semifinal. The fourth-seeded Thunder Hawks (13-5) advanced by topping No. 5 Portville in the quarterfinals while the top-seeded Gators (13-8) downed No. 8 Cassadaga Valley to reach the semis.

The final game Thursday will feature Panama, a back-to-back state Final Four participant, against Ellicottville in the other Class D semifinal at 8 p.m. The third-seeded Panthers (16-5) are led by freshman Natalie Angeletti’s 15.1 points per game, sophomore Madalyn Bowen’s 12.0 ppg and senior Nicole Johnson’s 10.9 ppg. The second-seeded Eagles (19-1) are led by senior Marissa Hamilton’s 20.5 ppg, senior EmmaLee Erlandson’s 11.5 ppg and sophomore Linnea Jimerson’s 10.1 ppg.

The boys finals will all take place Friday night with Class D at 5:15 p.m., Class C2 at 6:45 p.m. and Class C1 at 8:15 p.m.

The girls finals will take place Saturday with Class D at 2 p.m., Class C2 at 4 p.m. and Class C1 at 6 p.m.

Jamestown CC will also host the girls Class C crossover game Tuesday, March 7 at 6 p.m.

Admission for each night is $5 for semifinals and $6 for finals.

OTHER PLAYOFF GAMES

Other area high schools will continue their sectional basketball playoffs at other venues this week.

Among boys teams, No. 5 Dunkirk (13-9) will square off against No. 1 East Aurora (18-3) in a Class B1 semifinal at 6 p.m. tonight at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. The winner advances to the title game at 1:45 p.m. Saturday, also at Buffalo State.

In Class AA, No. 1 Jamestown (14-6) will meet No. 5 Niagara Falls (13-8) at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday in a semifinal at Buffalo State. The winner of that game will move on to the championship clashat 8:30 p.m. Saturday, also at Buffalo State.

Among girls teams, No. 6 Fredonia (15-6) will play No. 2 East Aurora (17-3) in a Class B1 semifinal at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Sweet Home High School. The title game is set for 4 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo State.

In Class AA, No. 4 Jamestown (8-11) will play host to No. 5 Niagara Wheatfield (9-8) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at McElrath Gymnasium. The winner advances to the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Sweet Home High School. The championship game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. March 8 at Buffalo State.

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